Establishment of a Rapid Breeding System for Bletilla Striata

Background: Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb. f., a species of perennial herb of orchidaceae has remarkable effects and high economic value; thus it has been intensively studied by many scholars. Although this herb has numerous seeds, the germination rate is exceptionally low, which leads to decreased of germplasm resources and increased market demands year by year. ResultsWith the aim of addressing this issue, the present study included the aseptic germination system and the direct seeding technology system. On the basis of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, 2.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and 1.0 mg/L naphthylacetic acid (NAA) were added prior to seed germination, 70 g/L banana juice and 0.5 mg/L NAA were added when rooting, after which the seedlings were transplanted into a mixed substrate of humus, river sand and bark (3:1:1). The direct seeding system consists of a seedling base and substrate treatment, sowing and seedling raising, seedling growth and transplanting, etc. Turfy soil, huangjiang residue and river sand were selected as the substrate. The results revealed that the germination rate was increased to 91.8%, while the plantlet regeneration was increased to 82.0%. Following 180 days of cultivation, the plants could be transplanted as finished seedlings.ConclusionsThe establishment of this B. striata seedling system provides a safe, rapid, reliable production technology route for its industrial development.